“Told you I never fucked your girl,” Noel says to me. “I would never do that shit to you!”

Rage fills me causing my lips to twist and my nostrils flair. Who the fuck does she think she is? Does she even know how much fucking pain and hurt she’s caused this band with her selfish fucking ways? Does she even care? When I can no longer keep from lashing out at her, I shout, “You fucking slut!”

My words echo in my ears as I turn and storm off the bus. The pavement’s solid under my boots as I head towards the back of the bus. I rub my face, wishing I could rub away all of my frustration.

I lean back against Big Bertha and tilt my head towards the sky. I can’t believe it. This entire time Noel and I have been fighting for no reason while that asshole Mike let us have at each other. Pure, unadulterated anger flows through my veins and I crunch my hands into fists. That douche needs to be taught a lesson. He fucking played us all.

I shove myself away from the bus before I round the corner and run smack into Noel.

Noel takes a step back. “Easy, buddy, where you off to?”

I take a deep breath through my nose and try to side step him. “Get out of the way.”

He shakes his head. “I can’t do that. You and your fucking temper need to cool it. Let it go, man. Those lying fuckers deserve each other. They aren’t worth it.”

I throw my hands out towards the bus. “How can you be so fucking calm about this? Don’t you want to beat his ass?”

“I’m not saying I’m not pissed. I’m fucking livid with them. But…now that the truth is out I can get my life back. We can be friends again. Lane won’t hate me anymore. I can be happy again.”

I nod. I know exactly how he feels. I’d give anything to feel like that. “You’re right. It’s all working out for you.”

I shove my hands deep in my jean pockets and stalk off to the nearest bar to text Aubrey some more.

AUBREY

Way too early in the morning my phone rings again. Damn that boy. Hasn’t he ever heard of giving a girl a little space? I grab my phone. It’ll probably be best if I shut it off. I don’t have to be at work today and I prefer to sleep in on my days off.

The second I turn it off, I hear my front door knob rattle. I sit up and gasp, thinking quick of what to grab to stop a burglar. New York is famous for apartment robberies. I tiptoe through my bedroom and into the front room in the dark. Once I glance around and make sure no one has gained entry to my apartment, I rush to the front door.

I slam my body against the wooden door. “I’m calling the cops!”

“Aubrey, it’s me,” Lanie says from the other side of the door.

What’s she doing back already? She’s not due back here for a couple more days.

I click the deadbolt and fling the door open. “What’s going on? You all right?”

She shakes her head as she wheels her suitcase inside the apartment. “No. It was too much. I had to get away from there.”

I scrunch my brow. “Did something else happen?”

“Sophie showed up.”

“As in the pregnant chick?”

She nods and then flops down on the couch. “It’s not Noel’s baby.”

My heart pounds against my rib cage as I sit next to her. “Does that mean it’s…”

I swallow hard as I think about the possibility that this baby is Zach’s child. I don’t want a relationship with him, but the realization that it will never be an option stings. Why does this news feel so crushing on my heart?

“It’s not Riff’s either if that’s what you’re thinking. The baby belongs to their bodyguard, Mike.”

“How do you know that?”

Lanie shrugs. “Riff can’t have children.”

I tilt my head. “What makes you say that?”

She stares at me dumbfounded. “I figured telling someone that you’re sterile might come up before you do the deed.”

My mouth drops open. No wonder he was okay having sex with me without a condom. He knew there was no way he could knock me up. It also explains why Sophie would try to pin a baby on another man in the band. She was probably hoping to get some cash out of the situation.

I lean back against the couch. “Do you know why he’s sterile?”

She pulls her lips into a tight line. “Something about some sort of accident…that’s all I know.”

“Was his sister involved?”

She shakes her head. “I really don’t know. Why do you ask?”

Things click in my head. The moment we started talking about Hailey, Zach completely shut down. I’m beginning to think there’s a lot more to that story than he led on.

I know he doesn’t have a great relationship with his father. I overheard them yelling at one another over money on the phone the morning after I’d slept with him.

“You okay?”

I shake away my thoughts. “Yeah, why?”

“I don’t know, you look…distracted, like you figured something out.”

I nod. “I think I did.”

Zach’s definitely got some secrets, like he was implying. If only I knew what he’s hiding.

****

Monday morning Isaac stops at my desk. He’s particularly dashing in his pinstriped suit and matching tie. Every blond hair on his head lays perfectly groomed, while he smiles his dazzling, white smile at me.

“Good morning, Isaac. I have those memos you asked for all ready.” I hand him a file with all the letters I typed since he likes to double check my work.